About Gavin Duffy

Ever since my first community and business venture at age 18, when I set up a local radio station, I have had a strong desire to understand people – to listen to them, to get to know them, to help them find their voice.

Throughout a long career in broadcasting, training and development, coaching and mentoring, I have always sought to find the very best in people, and to inspire them to achieve their goals.

This is, and has always been, my main focus and driver, and it is my aim now to bring this experience and skill to the office of Uachtarán na hÉireann. In the role, I will highlight the issues facing us as a nation today, inspire people to bring about change, and effectively communicate our unique heritage and identity to the wider world.

About Gavin Duffy

Ever since my first community and business venture at age 18, when I set up a local radio station, I have had a strong desire to understand people – to listen to them, to get to know them, to help them find their voice.

Throughout a long career in broadcasting, training and development, coaching and mentoring, I have always sought to find the very best in people, and to inspire them to achieve their goals.

This is, and has always been, my main focus and driver, and it is my aim now to bring this experience and skill to the office of Uachtarán na hÉireann. In the role, I will highlight the issues facing us as a nation today, inspire people to bring about change, and effectively communicate our unique heritage and identity to the wider world.

I will highlight the issues facing us as a nation today, inspire people to bring about change, and effectively communicate our unique heritage and identity to the wider world.

Cherishing Family, Community and Friendship

I value family and community above everything. I enjoyed a happy childhood as the youngest of three brothers, first in Sallins, Co Kildare, where my family farmed, and then later in Drogheda, Co Louth, where I lived ‘above the shop’ on West Street. I counted GAA, soccer, horse riding, music and drama among my early passions.

Over the last 20 years I have lived in Bellewstown, Co Meath, with my wife Orlaith Carmody and our four children: Lorcan (24), Cormac (23), Cathal (22) and Aislinn (20). Family time is extremely special and important to both Orlaith and me, enjoying the beautiful countryside, and the company of our pets, our neighbours and our friends.

Cherishing Family, Community and Friendship

I value family and community above everything. I enjoyed a happy childhood as the youngest of three brothers, first in Sallins, Co Kildare, where my family farmed, and then later in Drogheda, Co Louth, where I lived ‘above the shop’ on West Street. I counted GAA, soccer, horse riding, music and drama among my early passions.

Over the last 20 years I have lived in Bellewstown, Co Meath, with my wife Orlaith Carmody and our four children: Lorcan (24), Cormac (23), Cathal (22) and Aislinn (20). Family time is extremely special and important to both Orlaith and me, enjoying the beautiful countryside, and the company of our pets, our neighbours and our friends.

Giving a Voice to the People of Ireland

After leaving school, I began my career, always with the aim of working with people and furthering their goals. I was lucky to receive excellent support and mentorship from the local business community when I set up Boyneside Radio in Drogheda after completing my Leaving Cert – and this certainly inspired me to do likewise as I became more established in my business career.

Subsequently I worked in RTÉ, where I presented the television business programme Marketplace, contributed to Morning Ireland, and presented Holiday Ireland. Then I lead a consortium that won a local radio franchise, and we founded LMFM.

Original LMFM staff following the launch in 1989

It was a very proud day for me on September 3, 1989, when we switched on the signal and began broadcasting, as I had campaigned long and hard for many years for a voice for the people of Ireland, separate to the national broadcaster.

Giving a Voice to the People of Ireland

After leaving school, I began my career, always with the aim of working with people and furthering their goals. I was lucky to receive excellent support and mentorship from the local business community when I set up Boyneside Radio in Drogheda after completing my Leaving Cert – and this certainly inspired me to do likewise as I became more established in my business career.

Original LMFM staff following the launch in 1989

Subsequently I worked in RTÉ, where I presented the television business programme Marketplace, contributed to Morning Ireland, and presented Holiday Ireland. Then I lead a consortium that won a local radio franchise, and we founded LMFM.

It was a very proud day for me on September 3, 1989, when we switched on the signal and began broadcasting, as I had campaigned long and hard for many years for a voice for the people of Ireland, separate to the national broadcaster.

Inspiring People to Succeed

For the past 35 years I have been delivering leadership development, communications training and consultancy services to businesses, social change advocacy groups and political groupings through a business I ran with my wife Orlaith.

Over the years, we have coached and advised a number of Taoisigh as well as many of the country’s top CEOs and managing partners. But whether working with a small business owner, a community group or a country leader, our approach was always the same. First we helped them believe they could achieve a particular goal, and then we helped them to identify the steps needed to make it happen. Our aim was always to inspire people to succeed.

My passion for supporting small businesses and entrepreneurs led me to join RTÉ’s Dragons’ Den in 2009, where I invested in and helped a wide range of people and ideas over the years. I have loved working with every single one of these businesses – coaching and mentoring them to become as successful as possible.

Inspiring People to Succeed

For the past 35 years I have been delivering leadership development, communications training and consultancy services to businesses, social change advocacy groups and political groupings through a business I ran with my wife Orlaith.

Over the years, we have coached and advised a number of Taoisigh as well as many of the country’s top CEOs and managing partners. But whether working with a small business owner, a community group or a country leader, our approach was always the same. First we helped them believe they could achieve a particular goal, and then we helped them to identify the steps needed to make it happen. Our aim was always to inspire people to succeed.

My passion for supporting small businesses and entrepreneurs led me to join RTÉ’s Dragons’ Den in 2009, where I invested in and helped a wide range of people and ideas over the years. I have loved working with every single one of these businesses – coaching and mentoring them to become as successful as possible.

From small business owner to country leader, our approach was the same – first we helped them believe they could achieve a particular goal, and then we helped them to identify the steps needed to make it happen.

Giving Back to the Community

In 2016, I was very proud to receive a Lifetime Achievement Award from Drogheda Chamber of Commerce for my contribution to the business and community life of my hometown. I am an active supporter of Enterprise Towns and Social Entrepreneurs Ireland and I am Chairperson of the Biz Action Group, a not-for-profit organisation that has taught entrepreneurial skills to more than 45,000 primary school children. I have also spent time supporting schools, charities and other causes – among them Suzanne House and Ablevision Ireland. I have Chaired the Louth Age Friendly Initiative, the first such initiative in the country.

I have been a keen supporter of the Drogheda Classical Music Series, ever since its foundation, and have served on the committee of Bellewstown Races for many years.

I am asking for your vote, because I believe I can bring this wide experience to develop an active, dynamic presidency that will be your voice and your representation at the forefront of Irish life.

Gavin with his family receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award from Drogheda Chamber of Commerce

Giving Back to the Community

In 2016, I was very proud to receive a Lifetime Achievement Award from Drogheda Chamber of Commerce for my contribution to the business and community life of my hometown. I am an active supporter of Enterprise Towns and Social Entrepreneurs Ireland and I am Chairperson of the Biz Action Group, a not-for-profit organisation that has taught entrepreneurial skills to more than 45,000 primary school children. I have also spent time supporting schools, charities and other causes – among them Suzanne House and Ablevision Ireland. I have Chaired Louth Age Friendly Initiative, the first such initiative in the country.

I have been a keen supporter of the Drogheda Classical Music Series, ever since its foundation, and have served on the committee of Bellewstown Races for many years.

I am asking for your vote, because I believe I can bring this wide experience to develop an active, dynamic presidency that will be your voice and your representation at the forefront of Irish life.

I am asking for your vote, because I believe I can bring my wide experience to develop an active, dynamic presidency that will be your voice and your representation at the forefront of Irish life.